Postgraduate research degrees
Join our world-class multi-disciplinary research environment.
By choosing to study a postgraduate research degree with us, you will be joining a vibrant, multi-national research community of more than 300 postgraduate research students, working alongside postdoctoral researchers, technical specialists and academic staff.
Students join our research community from a wide range of backgrounds including biologists, chemists, nutritionists, economists, mathematicians, computer scientists and sociologists. You can study full or part-time, allowing you to combine your studies with work or other responsibilities.
Our research
Research in the school is grouped into nine themes:
- Soil and environment
- Microbiology
- Plant and crop
- Animal and livestock
- Food and drink
- Nutrition and health
- Fundamental biology
- Advanced technologies
- Sustainable agriculture
Use our table to find an academic who matches your area of research interest.
Our research degrees
The school offers postgraduate research degrees with the awards of PhD (3 or 4 year), MPhil (2 year) and MRes (1 year). To find out more click on the headings below.
PhD/MPhil degrees
The PhD in Biosciences is the most popular option and can be taken in any of our research themes.
You can also take a PhD programme in the following areas:
MRes degrees
You can study for an MRes in Biosciences as a stand alone degree.
You can also take an MRes degree in the following areas:
MRes with taught element
We also offer a subject specific MRes degree with 60 credits worth of taught element:
Some of the programmes offer the opportunity to study at the University's Malaysia Campus.
How to apply
For all of our research degrees, the first step is to identify one or more supervisors you would like to work with.
We recommend you identify a supervisor whose expertise matches your own research interests and contact them to discuss and develop your project ideas before submitting an application.
You can use our searchable table find a supervisor.
Once you have confirmed supervisors, please name them on your application form.
Research facilities and equipment
Specialist facilities include the teaching and research laboratories, clinical skills suite and food processing hall. There is also a University farm and dairy centre, and temperature controlled glasshouses.
Sutton Bonington Campus
Sutton Bonington Campus combines world-leading laboratories and research expertise. The School of Biosciences and the School of Veterinary Medicine are based here. There is a great sense of community, and the student union plays a big part in campus life.
You will have access to student services, a library, sports centre and places to eat.
You can travel to University Park Campus in around 25 minutes on our free hopper bus, and Nottingham city centre via the tram network.
The campus has great national and international transport links. It is close to the motorway network to London, East Midlands Parkway railway station into St Pancras International and East Midlands International Airport.